DESCRIPTION
The Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe used this funding to improve salmon habitat by increasing instream flows, especially during critical low flows, by piping leaking irrigation canals in the Dungeness watershed, Clallam County. Water conservation projects are recommended are a high priority in the Dungeness Agricultural Comprehensive Water Conservation Plan. State funding went toward contracted labor, materials/equipment/project management and project success monitoring.
The efficiency of the irrigation system was improved by piping open and leaking irrigation canals, and by reducing irrigation diversions from the Dungeness River. A secondary outcome of the project was improvement in water quality by eliminating the pathway by which contaminants enter the irrigation system.
The project encompassed three areas:
Dungeness Irrigation Company: The Tribe, Clallam Conservation District, and Dungeness Irrigation Company partnered to leverage. SRFB funds went toward piping 3,000 feet of extremely leaky ditches in the Carlsborg area.
Highland Irrigation District: Construction at two sites in this district entailed piping approximately 3,180 feet of laterals and replacing old, leaking pipe and open canals near Sequim. Highland’s crew carried out the work, enabling them to save on project costs. A portion of remaining funds were applied to three similar pipelining projects, as recommended in the Dungeness Water User’s Comprehensive Water Conservation Plan.
Sequim Prairie Tri Irrigation Company: Piping at three sites enclosed a total of 6,840 feet of open ditches. Sequim-Prairie’s crew did the work, enabling them to save on project costs; these dollars were transferred to two additional projects prior to grant expiration.